The Zoological Society of London (ZSL), a charity founded in 1826, is a world-renowned centre of excellence for conservation science and applied conservation. ZSL’s mission is to promote and achieve the worldwide conservation of animals and their habitats. This is realised by carrying out field conservation and research in over 50 countries across the globe and through education and awareness-raising at our two zoos, ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, inspiring people to take conservation action.

Role Profile:

The key purpose of this Thailand-based position is to be the ZSL Country Programme scientific lead on all matters and projects related to elephant and pangolin conservation. This includes ensuring that projects align with ZSL’s mission and meet internal and donor requirements. The post holder will lead on: project development and implementation; grant-writing and reporting; work planning management; data management and analysis; and assist with financial administration of project funds.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

Act as lead scientific authority for ZSL in Thailand on all issues related to elephant and pangolin conservation initiatives

With Country Manager and other ZSL staff and partners, contribute to strategic planning and project design

Manage the implementation of all current elephant and pangolin project activities. This includes implementation of strategic planning, surveys, community engagement activities, human elephant conflict (HEC) monitoring, HEC mitigation trials, and related law enforcement activities

Develop comprehensive work plans for ongoing work, maintain a project calendar with all important dates and tasks, and organise project meetings

Lead the development and implementation of trainings related to ongoing work

Mentor other ZSL project staff and provide technical support to external partners

Source, procure, catalogue and track equipment and supplies for project work, maintain inventories for all equipment and supplies

Work with Country and Programme Managers as appropriate, to manage and maintain relationships with project partners

Lead the implementation of field work with government and community partners

Improve, and where necessary develop, management systems for all data collected as part of projects. For example, HEC data, camera trap data, threat data, etc.

Analyse all data collected during project works using standard statistical approaches

Lead the development of high quality scientific reports related to project work ensuring that donor and government requirements are met. These will be in English and where necessary the Project Manager will coordinate translation into Thai language.

With the Finance and Operations Manager and Country Manager, coordinate the budgeting of project funds, ensuring that expenditure is in line with projections and donor requirements

With the Country Manager, co-lead project develop funding proposals to further ZSL’s mission in Thailand in alignment with Government priorities

Present project achievements at conferences and workshops and contribute to discussions that extend ZSL’s involvement within key forums related to elephants, pangolins and other ZSL priority species conservation in Thailand and the region.

Be responsible for ensuring that members of the project team follow administrative processes as necessary. In particular, that health and safety processes are followed.

Person Specification:

This position is open to applications from all nationalities

Qualifications & Experience

Minimum Bachelor of Science, preferably in a field such as wildlife management, Conservation Biology or similar. Candidates with post graduate qualifications are preferred

At least 3 years of previous experience developing and implementing scientific research or applied wildlife management, preferably related to elephants or other mammal species

Advanced GPS and navigation skills, and the ability to use GIS systems to present spatial information

Strong organisational, interpersonal and communication skills, both face to face and in writing

An ability to manage competing priorities

Proven ability to work effectively with multi-agency teams and provide leadership

Physically fit and willing to undertake field work in remote locations

Other Requirements

The post holder will work normal office hours but there will sometimes be a requirement to work out of office hours or over weekends to meet deadlines or to travel over weekends.

To Apply:

Applicants will need to send their CV and a cover letter detailing relevant experience and skills, stating why they want the position, and include details of availability. Please send to Thanakritta.Oonsri@zsl.org by midnight (GMT+7) on. 6 August 2017